Care-Giving Problems Cited at Northwestern

The mother of Northwestern football player Rashidi Wheeler said Wednesday that team trainers failed to locate an inhaler for her asthma-stricken son, who told them he was dying as they treated him on the field.

Linda Will said on-field phones were inoperable, further hindering medical assistance for Wheeler, who died Friday after collapsing during a conditioning drill.

“There were three [phones] there, but none were operable,” Will said. “That forced some of the kids to scramble to their cars for their cell phones to call paramedics.”

Will said her family has obtained information that Wheeler died on the field and not at Evanston Hospital, as Northwestern officials had originally stated. Will was critical of the actions of trainer Tory Aggeler and his staff.

“They couldn’t get him an inhaler,” Will said. “At one point, they rigged him a plastic bag with a hole in it. I’ve been told he told them [the trainers] that he was dying.”

Will repeated her contention that Wheeler, 22, of Ontario, was left alone temporarily as trainers worked on other players.

“He was alone, there are witnesses,” she said.

How willing those witnesses are to speak out is uncertain. While receiver Jason Wright and cornerback Chasda Martin have provided detailed accounts of the incident, three other Northwestern players declined comment after a ceremony for Wheeler on Tuesday.

“I can’t talk about it,” said one player.

“The kids are fearing repercussions,” Will said. “Some have talked about leaving school. I’ve told them to calm down. They’re speaking with too much emotion now.”

Northwestern Coach Randy Walker said players are not being threatened with repercussions if they speak about Wheeler’s death.

“If you deal in the truth, you’ve got nothing to be afraid of,” Walker said.

Martin said he is willing to talk.

“I have two families--my Northwestern family and Rashidi’s family,” Martin said. “My priority is to help Rashidi in any way. What Rashidi taught me is that life is bigger than football.”

Wheeler’s family has delayed its return to Southern California and will remain in Evanston through Friday to monitor accounts from Northwestern players who witnessed the player’s death, which was determined to be caused by bronchial asthma.

There will be a viewing for Wheeler from 5-9 p.m. Sunday at Forest Lawn. His funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Pomona, with a reception following at Damien High, 2280 Damien Ave., La Verne.